Conservation Confluence June 2018

NEWS FROM WHF (Corrected)

Please save the date of October 5th, 2018 for WHF’s Trivia Night! The evening will feature local food, beer, and wine and fun trivia with all proceeds going directly to our Outdoor Education Program. Visit our website at www.wildlifeheritage.org for more information. See you there!

My best,
Darla Guenzler, Executive Director

VALLEY GLEN: HABITAT ENHANCEMENT ON PROTECTED LAND

WHF’s Valley Glen Preserve is a great example of the compatibility of wildlife habitat and agriculture. The 211.5-acre Preserve provides critical habitat for the state-listed Swainson’s hawk and state protected burrowing owl while in active agricultural cultivation of grazing, hay, and row crops. Valley Glen serves as compensatory mitigation for a residential development.

-Kelly Velasco, Associate Director

BURROWING OWL BABIES

In July 2015, with assistance from Robben Farms, WHF installed four artificial burrows within the approximate 21-acre burrowing owl portion of the Valley Glen Burrowing Owl and Swainson’s Hawk Preserve. By the spring of the following year, two pairs of burrowing owls occupied the recently installed artificial burrows, and produced approximately 12 owlets. We subsequently had nesting burrowing owls and owlets in the spring/summer of 2017, and again this year in 2018. WHF continues to monitor the status of the two owl families throughout the summer months.

-Gaylene Tupen, Lead Biologist

SUMMER CAMP FUN!

WHF staff celebrated National Pollinator Week by presenting a special pollinator program to kids at the City of Lincoln Parks and Rec Summer Camp. Even though the extreme heat brought us indoors, students were amazed to learn that those buzzing bees, humming hummingbirds and fluttering butterflies are responsible for every third bite of food that we eat. For more on what YOU can do to help protect these pollinators with purpose, visit www.pollinator.org!